Vinyl pressings
by Rare Earth · 1970
Ecology was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 20 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
Z4RS-3081-1-D HS-1735-2 S1 5-28-70Side A runout, variant 1
Z4RS-3082-1-D HS-1736-2 S2 5-28-70Side B runout, variant 1
Z4RS-3081-1-D HS-1735-2 S1 AudioMatrix 5-28-70 dhSide A runout, variant 2
Z4RS-3082-1-D HS-1736-2 S2 5-28-70 dhSide B runout, variant 2
HS-1735-2 S-1 H Z4RS-3082-1-BRunout Side A variant 1
HS-1736-2 S-2 H Z4RS-3082-1-BRunout Side B variant 1
HS-1735-2 S-1 dh H Z4RS-3082-1-CRunout Side A variant 2
HS-1736-2 S-2 dh H Z4RS-3082-1-BRunout Side B variant 2
HS-1735-2 S-1 dh[Interlocking]Side A runout etched, Variant 1
HS-1736-2 S-2 dh[Interlocking]Side B runout etched, Variant 1
Z4RS-3081-1 ɪ B2Side A runout stamped, Variant 1
Z4RS-3082-1 ɪ B1Side B runout stamped, Variant 1
Z4RS-3081-1-D HS-1735-2 S.I. √. 5-28-70Runout side A, variant 1
Z4RS-3082-1-D HS-1736-2 S-2. √. 5-28-70Runout side B, variant 1
Z4RS-3081-1-D HS-1735-2 S-1 dh . 5-28-70Runout side A, variant 2
Z4RS-3082-1-D HS-1736-2 S-2 . dh 5-28-70Runout side B, variant 2
HS-1735-2 S-1 dh H Z4RS-3082-1-CRunout side A
HS-1736-2 S-2 dh H Z4RS-3082-1-BRunout side B
HS-1735 Z4RS-3081Label side A
HS-1736 Z4RS-3082Label side B
Z4RS-3081-1-D Audio Man 5-28-70 4 S-1. HS-1735-2Side A mainly etched
Z4RS-3082-1-D 5-28-70 4 S-2. HS-1736-2Side B mainly etched
HS-1735Side A label
HS-1736Side B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Argentina | Tamla Motown TMLS-10017First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Australia | Tamla Motown STMLO 10051First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Brazil | Ebrau EBLP-514 / Ebrau EB 514First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1970 | Canada | Rare Earth RS514 / Rare Earth RS 514First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | Rare Earth RS514First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | El Salvador | Motown RS-514First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | France | Rare Earth 2C 062-91 698 on records / Rare Earth 2C 054-91 698 on SleeveFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Rare Earth 1 C 054-91698 / Rare Earth 1 C054-91698First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Greece | Tamla Motown SGTML 11First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | India | Tamla Motown SETML. 13First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Israel | Rare Earth RS 514 / Tamla Motown RS 514First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Jamaica | Tamla Motown RS 514First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | Rare Earth SWG-7507 / Rare Earth RS 514First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | Japan | Rare Earth SWG-7507First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | Rare Earth SJET-8278 / Rare Earth SRAR-7002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | US | Motown M5-202V1LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| 1985 | Europe | Motown WL72219 / Motown SWL72219LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | US | Motown CFU01194 / Culture Factory USA, Inc. CFU01194LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Motown RS 514 / Motown RS-514LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Motown 230·15·080LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Rare Earth 1C 062-91 698LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Rare Earth RS 514 RSL-ST 61002LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Netherlands | Motown 5C 038-91698LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Motown M5-202V1LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| ? | Venezuela | Motown LP-7667LP, Album | LP, Album |
48 vinyl pressings of Ecology are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1970 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Canada, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Rare Earth RS514, released June 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS514, RS 514, M5202V1, RS 514 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Z4RS-3081-1-D HS-1735-2 S1 5-28-70 and Z4RS-3082-1-D HS-1736-2 S2 5-28-70. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
